By: Maureen Kawerama
For the residents of Kanyenga in Mangochis Monkey-Bay, the dream of accessing quality healthcare has turned into a 14-year nightmare.
Construction of the Kanyenga Health Centre, initiated in 2011 to serve the areas population of 12,521, was abandoned in 2015 after the Ministry of Health withdrew the contractor over alleged irregularities. Since then, promises have been made, but the project remains a white elephant.
In 2020, the then Minister of Health, Jappie Mhango, assured residents that a new contractor would be engaged. Five years later, that promise is yet to be fulfilled, leaving the nearest health facilitya 40-kilometer journey to Monkey-Bay Community Hospital—as the only option for Kanyenga residents.
The delay has had devastating consequences for the people of Kanyenga. Agatha John, a resident of Kanyenga, recounts a heart-wrenching incident in 2023 when her pregnant sister delivered on the way to Monkey-Bay Hospital. The baby did not survive.
“When my sister’s labour started, we had to rush her to Monkey Bay Community Hospital. However, since we couldn’t afford the transportation costs, which is MK15,000 one way, we had to walk. Unfortunately, things took a turn for worse, and my sister ended up delivering on the side of the road.
With no medical personnel to assist us, we tragically lost the baby. My sister could have saved her baby if the hospital here was operational. We are losing lives daily because the nearest hospital is too far”. said John.
Similar tragedies resonate across the community. Beatrice Luben, aged 32, lost her baby in 2011 after arriving at Monkey-Bay Hospital too late.
“You know pregnancies are unpredictable, when my labour started, I rushed to the hospital since the hospital is too far from here, I arrived at the hospital late, and my baby was already dead, if we had a hospital here, I’m sure my baby would have survived”, said Luben.
She added that Politicians always use the Kanyenga Health Centre as a campaign tool.
“Politicians always use the Kanyenga Health Centre as a campaign tool. We need the government to take this seriously and complete the project to save lives”, added Luben.
Another resident, Esnart Dinnesi, 56, expressed her frustration:
When the construction started in 2011, we were hopeful. Now, 14 years later, we are still waiting while people die unnecessarily. We feel betrayed by the authorities we voted for.
Group Village Head Kanyenga has made numerous appeals to the government to complete the project, to no avail.
“I am losing my people every day because there is no hospital. I have reminded our MP several times, but nothing has been done,” he said tearfully.
Member of Parliament for Mangochi-Monkey-Bay Constituency, Ralph Pachalo Jooma, echoed the communitys disappointment.
“I have been pushing the Ministry of Health to continue with the project. Some of the buildings are already at roofing level, meaning the work left is minimal. However, there is no progress”, said Jooma.
Jooma admitted that the projects total cost is unclear since it was managed by the Ministry of Health.
Principal Secretary for the Ministry of Health, Dr. Sam Mndolo, acknowledged the delays.
The project was initially financed under Health SWAP, but donor support was withdrawn after the Cash gate scandal. “We plan to resume construction under the Health Services Joint Fund, targeting the next financial year”, Mndolo said.
Mndolo estimated that completion could cost approximately MK2 billion and stated that once resumed, the project could be finalized within a year.
Maziko Matemba, a health rights activist, emphasized the need for urgent action.
“The government must prioritize Kanyenga Health Centre. People in this area are being denied their right to quality healthcare” Matemba said.
George Jobe, Executive Director of the Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN), criticized the governments inaction.
“This facility was supposed to address long-distance healthcare challenges. We urge the government to include this project among the 900 planned health facilities and ensure its completion,” said Jobe.
Residents like Marrium Moffat continue to suffer indignities due to the lack of healthcare. Moffat delivered her baby on the roadside en route to Monkey-Bay Hospital.
“I was humiliated. Children passing by witnessed the birth. Although my baby survived, the shame haunts me. I beg the government to complete this hospital”, she said.
For 14 years, the people of Kanyenga have been waiting for relief. Their stories of loss, despair, and broken promises paint a grim picture of government failure. As the nation plans for new health facilities, the abandoned Kanyenga Health Centre stands as a painful reminder of promises unfulfilled and lives lost.
The Ministry of Health must honor its commitment to resume the project. Activists and community leaders vow to keep pressing for action. As Jobe rightly put it, This facility is not just a building; it is a lifeline for thousands who are suffering and dying in silence.
The question remains: will the government finally heed the cries of Kanyengas forgotten population, or will this white elephant continue to symbolize their neglect?
